kamrath



April 30, 1929- H. G.,KAMRATH 1,710,988

' INDICATOR Filed July 17, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet l fisi R) a g a ag,

E E E 11137713 5575 [UL/B17227 2/. f m E /M a. /W

April 30, 1929- H. G. KAMRATH 1,710,988

INDICATOR Filed July 17. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 [51 7275 555 5 [UL/E17 ZFF April 30, 1929- I H. G. 'KAMRATH 1,710,988

INDICATOR Filed July 1'7. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

HERBERT G. KAISER-ATE. OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSZGIEOF.

SEARCH CORPORATIGN, OF DAYTGN, 0H1

GENERAL MOTORS RE- A CGRPS BATION OF DELAWARE.

INDICATGR.

,. plica 'ion filed July 17,

This invention relates to an. indicatii vice especially useful in co. air cooled internal conibus especially for use on an lu thdcopend K i uinuicrs, Serial No. SMJA l i9 disclosed a device which .the draft tube of the engine. This duct includes a restriction against which an indicah i ng deYice such as a light \Y(i?ldl ball is drawn against gravity by suction in the duct which results trom the flow of air in the i cooling system. indicating ball is incia'ised with.-

i. iis in a trans 'iareut portion of the duct, and when the ball is released owing to the cessation of air How. the ball will tell into a portion of the duct which is v sible to the d r of the automobile. llhis duct 1S open t. atmosphere normally. so that there will be a difference in. pressure between the pressures on the lower and upper sides 01 he ball when the air cooling system is tuuct' ing properly. If for any reason this co .iunication with at mosphere be closed off, then ball will drop down into iiulir-atingposition altheugh the circulating; air may be flowing. In this eopcnding application the closing of the communication with atmosphere is accomplished by mechanism which is responsive to the failure ot the lubricating systen'i of the engine.

In the present invention it is among the objects to provide an improved indicating de vice which shall be responsive to either the cessation ol flow of cooling air or the cessation of the flow of engine lubricant or both, and which is exceedingly simple in construction and can be inanuta ured at a very low cost. In carrying out the present invention there provided a duct in communication with the air cooling system of the engine, and said duct is in coi'ninunication with the at mosphcre and includes a restriction which is closed by an indicating .elcinent when the suction in the duct is suflicient. .lnsteac of closing the communication to atmosphere as disclosed in the application referred to, the suction side of the duct includes a branch portion which extends into awell of engine lu- To. S75E24.

t which forms a part of the hibricat- 6111. As long as any lubricant flows in this system in sufficient quantities for the operation of the engine this branch portion will be sealed ofi from atmosphere bv lubricant in the well. u

A further object of the present invention is to provide an indicator adapted to be mounted preferably upon the hood of the automobile and. to have provisions whereby the iinlicating element will be visible to the driver both day and ni 'ht in case said elenzcnt is in its indicating position.

(Ether and further object-s and advantages (it the present invention will be apparent from the 'lollowing description of a preferred embodiment thereof reference being niade to the ianying drawings. 7 i

1. is a side elevation of an air cooled to which the present in vention is apis a front elevation partly in section engine, and on a scale larger than c 3 is a frac icentury side *levation ot is a side view of a coupling for the indicator.

' a 10 is a top view thereof.

. l is a bottom view thereof.

the drawings, 20 designates an internal coin JUSl'lOl? engine provided with an air coolingsyst u'i. which is chosen for the purpose et lllllJ-1 'l2-.lT l the use of the present invenb A t ion. Thi s particular engine is described an d lannm n the copending application of lr rl. F. K tering and Charles E. Short,

Fit filed April 17, 1922, but it .8 invention is not hmde in apg'ilication to any particular air cooled e1 21*.

' 1e 20 includes a'plurality of cyleach be in -slips 22. The air cirin includes a draft tube 23 haviuder tins so as to provide for the circulation of air along the tins and prei'erably from the bottom or the cylinder to the too.

The skirt portion 2-l merges into the niain draft tube portion which is closed at the rear end and open at the front end so as t be in connnunication with a fan 26 which is drivcuby the engine through pulley 2T belt 28, and pulley 29. it is intended that the tan shall be revolved while the engine is running); in order that heat may be :arricd away lroni the engine cylinders in sullicient quantities to insure the proper operation 01" the engine and to prevent any darn-age which might result from overheating. It is therefore desirable that there shall be an indie: tion of the iailure-o't' the fan to ope ate whether this failure will occur in the da time or night time it is desir: ble that the indicating means he made exceedingly simple so as to ininin'iizc the liability of the int iating device being inoperative.

As explained before. the indicating device comprises a suction duct having a restriction which acts is valve seat to receive the'indicatinp; element which acts as a valve. The suction duct inchidcs the tansparent tube 30 which is su n iorted by the fixture 31, the passage 32 which is provided by the fixture 31, the passage which is provided by the coupling); 34h the tube 35, box 36, tube 37, coupling' 238, and tube 39 which extends into the main portion of the dr; it tube The upper end of this tube 89 is located adjacent the outlet ol the draft tube and the inlet to the fan 26, and is beveled as shown at 39" in Fig. so tuat even while the tan is operatwe at low speeds the suction produced by the circulation oi air will be sufiicient to cause the indicating element lO, see Fig. 6, to be sucked up ward ly in the tube 80 into the position 4L0 indicated by dot and dash. line. In this position the element lt) is located against the rc 'lTliC ion 4i which acts as a valve seat to receive the element 40 which acts as a valve for closing oil the suction duct front the atmosphere so that the pressure on the upper side of the element it) will be less than on the lower side. The :lernent 40 is preferably a. light weight hollow cylinder, slidable within the tube 3t) and adapted to close the restric tion .ll. The coupling 34 is provided with a circunitcrentiall v arranged channel 34 which is adapted to eonununi :ate with certain chan nels in the fixture 31 as will be described hereinafter. iinother passage 42 is also provided in the coupling 34 which connects the interior of the tube 30 with the space 66 formed inside the tixture cap 4r?) above the front portion of the engine hood. This space (36 ()Ohlll'lttfll ates with atmosphere by means of the channels 67 provided in the fixture cap thus the space within the tube 30 is open to atmosphere.

81 is provided with a cap portion 43 which is in ernaliy threaded whereby the fixture is adapted to be attached to the externally threaded flange ll carried by the trout portion oi the engine need. The lixture 3i provides a housin for the transparent tube 230 which is held in position within said housin by means of the coupling 3st (see Fig.1. G). This tube housing is provided with oppositely disposed open rings or windows d5 and alt) so as to render vis .ie to the operator only that portion ot the transparent tube 30 adjacent to which the indicating element ltliS located when in posi to indicate the inoperativeness of the l11L'-COQll1li 'sjstein or cessation of lubricant flow. The element d0 is preferably constructed oi a seniitranspareut substance such as thin ccllulo'd, and is preferably red or some other distinctive color. hen in the indi ting; position the cylinder it) acts like a re l c irtain dropped down over the windows and 46. The clear spot in the center oi th fixture 31 appears red, and is of sulficient size to be readily v sible in the day time. I". in the night time when oi course head lights are turned on to the road ahead of the vehic e the element -iltl is in indicating position. this red spot will he clearly visible to the driver upon looking through the element 40 toward the illuminated r )tlt'l ahead.

through a restriction ll. channel 32 connnunica i'erential channel 3 t on t said coupling is scrcwt tixturc 3']. as shown in l d hen the fixture p .accd the engine hood cover the ca first screwed down upon the exterior threadct. flange tel thus causing the threaded end or the coupling;- 3 1 to project thro h an opening in the enginc hood cover 65. The clamping nut 35" which connects with the tube 3; is ther screwed into position said nut 3% having an enlarged head which when the in t is iii position will shut oil the opening in the engrine hood cove through which the coupling 3i Each end of the s with the circunt- 1e coupling 34 when position in the position on projects. thus shutting of the space 66 in the fixture cap 43 from the heat of the engine. This whl permit only cool air from the at-inospherc to pass through the channels 67 in the cap d3 i to the space 66 and thence into the interior of the tube 30 by means of the channel (t2. This will tend to eliminate fogging the transparc tube 35 which would happen it warm air ti nn the en ginc were permitted to do said tube anu cooler atmospheric air to itrikc the artside of said tube.

itsis apparent from Figs. 2 t. aside from performing a very iniportant"function as an indicating device. this indicating the rare promotes a very neat and attractive an pcarancc, thus an r'irnarn to the front end of engine hood.

the

teferring to Figs. 3, 4t and 5, the box 33 includes a partition 50 having a plurality of holes 51 and the bottom oi the ho connected by a pipe 52 with a luhrieant well 53 Whit is termed preferably integrally with toe crank ease 5 1: oi the engine 20. in he eopend duet 55 from which oil is bu crank shaft hearings of t e 55 receiving its supplv 01' oil ation of the engine tron an oil sin pipe 55 and the oil puu'minp' a constructed so that the pipe oil than is supplied to the ma ing, and the surplus oil. in p i flows out through. he end therto ullii into the oil trough 56 from Whie splashed by the engine connecting rot In the present invention the surpl o the pipe 55 flows first into the Won. 5 i

this Well is provided with a small outl t 58 During the normal operation ot the one. 7 the excess from the pipe 55 simply fills u it, u.

well 53 so that it flows over the edge ease the engine stops! then the well he drained through the su'iali hole tore in starting the engine again the delivered through the pipe to u well This operation indicate: i, driver that in starting out on a tri thew sufficient supply of lubricant :tor the engine.

Should the supply of lubricant give out or the lubricant circulating apparatus operate, then the Well 53 will become and the lower end of the ipo will sealed, thus permitting air from tl'ie atmosphere to enter the lOY'iGl. end 0'" empty he untern al '16 pipe 553. This will break the suction in the '{dpo or duct and. prevent the indicating); element 4O 'lrou'i be ng drawn upwart 1st the valve seat 41. Since atmosph exist on hoth the upper sides on the indieatin; elen' fit it) t V ment will. drop froin'its position 0 oeeupied during the normal operation. of the engine down intothe indicating. position the windows and 4-6.

The partition serves asa haii'le within the ho 36 so that due to a sudden increase in suesu re 'il tion the oil from the well r" ple and reliab e indicating device tor producing a visible signal designating the cessation suction in "no duet i aunt W meant nit-h is predated by the air or (fill ,iurino' the noruul iraneh pipe i i V fixture engine hood the hood,

e indication ay time by reflected it; through trans- .or toward the il i n heroin shown combustion enair to how past he s; are: an iii-- t upon the flow he same; said ilQlG enhhe driver l i-zerv ng' td! g a transparent porin line with the vision of the the road ahead; and it movable t) intercept haneparei portion to dieate inonerativeness or" the coolsystem for automotive lotion with a mu tiple dicator being mounted on the vehicle and having an indicating element visible to the driver when observing the road ahead to thereby indicate inoperativeness either of the cooling system or of the lubricating systen'i oi the engine.

4-. in an indicating system for automotive vehicles, and in combination with a multiple cylinder air cooled internal combustion engine, and means for 'ausing air to flow past the cylinders thereol to cool the same; an iiulicator; and means dependent upon the How of air aforesaid, and dependent also upon the operation of the lubricating system, tor actuating tae said indicator; said indicator including a transparent portion substantially in line with the vision of the driver when observing the road ahead, and an indicating elcment movable to intercept vision through sail trzmsparent portion to thereby indicate inoperativcness of either the cooling system or the lubricating system of the englue.

5. In an indicating system, the combination with an engine having an air cooling system; of a duct connected with said system; means ior indi atiug the tendency of air to flow in said duct; and means the function of which is dependent upon lack of engine lubricanttor preventing the operation of said indicating means.

(3. in an indicating system, the combination with an engine having an air cooling system of an air suction duct connected with said system; means for indicating suction in said, duct; and means the operation of which is dependent upon cessation of flow of engine lubricant for arresting the operation of said suction indicating means.

7. In an indicating system, the combina- 1 ion with an engine having an air cooling sysem and a lubricating system; of a suction duct connected with said air system and With said lubricating system, means for indicating suction in said duct, and means responsive to cess iation of lubricant flow for relieving suction in said duct.

8. In an indicating system, the combination with an engine having an air cooling lean and a lubricating s stem; of a suction duct connected with said systems; means responsive to suction tending to close said duct from atmosphere and movable to indicate the absence ot suction in said duct; and means ItHPODSlV! to cessation of lubricant flow for relieving suction in said duct.

J. Inan indicating system, the combination with an engine having an air cooling system and a lubricating system; of a suction duct connected with said systems, indicating means connected with said duct including a valve tending to close said duct from atmosphere, said valve serving as a visible indicator in case oi. absence of suction in said duct; and means responsive to tessation of lubricant llow for relieving suction in said duct.

10. In an indicating system, the combination with an engine having an air cooling system and a lubricating system; of a suction duct connected with said air cooling system: indicating means connected with said duct incluoing a valve tending to close said duct from atmosphere, said valve serving as a visible indicator in case. of absence of suction in said duct; and a branch duct connected with said first mentioned duct between the indicator and the cooling system, said branch duct bein closed to atmosphere by the presence oi suliicient engine lubricant.

11. In an indicating system, the combination with an engine having an air cooling system; of a suction duct connected with said air cooling system; means for indicating suction in said duct; and a branch duct connected with said first mentioned duct between the indicator and the cooling system, said branch duct being closed to atmosphere by the presence of suiticient engine lubricant.

12. in combination an air circulating system, a linture having a passage through which lluid circulation is induced When the passage is connected with the air circulating system, said pass-a including a tra sparent portion through which an illun'iination beyond the indicator is visible; and an indicating element, normally hidden when said system is operating properly, but movable into said transparent portion to intercept vision there-- through in case of inoperativeness of the circulating system.

13. In an. indicating system for an engine having a plurality oi' circulatory systems, the combination with an indicating fixture and means for connecting said fixture with said systems, said fixture having a transparent portion through which an illumination beyond the indicator is visible; and an indicating clement movable into said transparent portion to intercept vision therethrough in case oi? inoperativeness of either of said circulatory systems.

In testimony whereof I-hereto aflix my sig nature.

HERBERT G. KAMRATH. 

